‘General Hospital’ Legend, 62, Makes Rare Red Carpet Appearance To Honor Late Co-Star originally appeared on Parade.
Daytime Emmy winner and General Hospital star Maurice Benard made a rare red carpet appearance to honor his late co-star, Johnny Wactor.
Benard attended the Dances with Films Los Angeles Film Festival for the premiere of Wactor’s film Ciao, Mama.
Benard took to the red carpet wearing a black blazer with a subtle sheen, with a deep burgundy quarter zip knit shirt underneath, this was paired with matching black pants.
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Ciao, Mama is described as, “Ciao, Mama follows Tony Esposito as he returns to Long Island for his mother’s funeral. Weighed down by guilt for not being there during her illness, Tony reconnects with his past and begins to understand the importance of the relationships that have always supported him. Johnny Wactor portrays Marco, a childhood friend struggling with addiction who has quietly cared for Tony’s family. Johnny’s untimely death in 2024, after heroically saving a friend’s life, adds deep poignancy to the film, which stands as a testament to his legacy.”
The Luca Peritowritten and directed film also stars Emily Alabi, Jeremy Luke, Pete Gardner, Katie Keene, Micah Joe Parker, Tom Martin, Alessia Franchin, Colin Flynn, Luca Perito, Rebecca Radisic, Ty LaPlaunt, and Lou Sandoval.
Also in attendance for the film was Wactor’s mother, , and Brother, Lance Wactor. During a Q&A segment after the premiere it was revealed, per People, that Lance helped re-record some of his brothers lines for the film during post production.
Wactor was tragically murdered back in May of 2024. The actor had just finished a bartending shift and was returning to his car, he confronted several people trying to steal the catalytic converter from his vehicle, when he was tragically shot and killed.
In addition to acting in numerous projects, Wactor has also been a producer on the short Let Go, Watastrophe, Trapper’s Edge, Nightmare Diaries, as well as Ciao, Mama.Ciao, Mama is available for purchase on the films official website.
General Hospital airs weekdays on ABC and streams weeknights on Hulu.
‘General Hospital’ Legend, 62, Makes Rare Red Carpet Appearance To Honor Late Co-Star first appeared on Parade on Jun 26, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
